Article--Sonam was 86 kg--Destiny's Child

S ONAM KAPOOR never thought she would ever fol- low in her father Anil Kapoor's footsteps, forget about being the leading lady of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's opulent Saawariya. "I never thought of it. It never really occurred to me that I could do the acting thing," she laughs. Not even for a teeny-weeny bit? Nope. Why? Did she have confidence issues? "I am definitely not low on confi- dence. It's just that acting was never a career option," she says. For one, she had a very 'un-filmi' upbringing because her parents Anil and Sunita Kapoor made it clear to her that studies mattered more than anything else. "Though dad was a star, we were never conscious of him being so. Mine was a very normal upbringing. Mom never even got film magazines at home. We were very far from the star world. Perhaps that is the rea- son I am so star struck," Sonam says. In fact, Saawariya leading man Ranbir Kapoor was Sonam's only 'filmi' childhood friend. Second, Sonam weighed 86 kg and perhaps knew very well that hell would freeze over before any Bolly- wood director cast a heroine who weighed as much as she did. WEIGHTY MATTERS But things don't always go the way you expect them to. After returning from Singapore where she complet- ed her graduation, Sonam assisted director Sanjay Leela Bhansali with Black. Bhansali obviously saw some- thing special in her. "After Black finished, Sanjay sir suddenly came up to me and told me that he wanted to cast me in his film. I was stunned. More than that, I was too scared to bring it up with my dad. So I told him that he would have to ask my dad. Thankfully dad agreed." But that was the easy part. "I was fat and definitely not heroine mate- rial," she says. "I realised that a Hin- di film heroine could not weigh 86 kg. Especially when she is Anil Kapoor's daughter and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's heroine." So after getting over the initial shock of being offered a leading role, she made losing weight a prior- ity and lost over 30 kg. She explains how homesickness led her to gain weight in Singapore. "It was the first time I was away from home. I ate to avoid missing home. When I was depressed I ate. When I was happy I ate." STARRY, STARRY EYES So was it exciting to see her father on screen when she was a child? Not really Seeing her father did . not interest her as much as seeing his co-stars like Sridevi and Rani Mukherjee. "They are such great actresses. I am a big fan. And now my first film has two of my favourite actors – Salman Khan and Rani – as my co- stars. It's almost a dream come true," says the chirpy 22-year-old. And what does she have to say about claims that with her great looks and pedigree, she has had an easy ride into Bollywood? "I can't really deny that things have been easier for me than for some others but I can't forget the pressure that comes with the pedi- gree. With two big names attached to mine, I have to live up to expecta- tions. Though dad is like a friend, he is also a disciplinarian. I can't take advantage of him. But when it comes to expert advice and experience, I get the best," she says with a grin. tavishi.rastogi@hindustantimes.com DADDY'S GIRL Father's favourite films? Mr India, Lamhe, Virasat and Pukaar. Do you like your dad as a romantic hero, action king or villain? Romantic hero. He does that so naturally. Who is your dad's favourite leading lady? Undoubtedly Sridevi. Father's worst film? Badhai ho Badhai. Any film you would like to work with him in? Father of the Bride. He will suit the role. 'YES, I AM NERVOUS' W HEN SANJAY Leela Bhansali told actor Anil Kapoor that he wanted to cast his daughter in a leading role in his next film, Kapoor was surprised but did not refuse. He, however, ensured he sat Sonam down and told her about the good, bad and ugly in Bollywood. So was he against Sonam joining Bollywood? "To be honest, I was; at least at that stage," says Kapoor. "But given her interest in doing it and know- ing the kind of director that Sanjay is, I couldn't resist." VOICE OF EXPERIENCE Of course, he is nervous of his daughter's baby steps towards stardom. "I am nervous and I won't deny it. Sonam isn't a trained actress but she has worked really hard. Also, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a master director. I am fairly sure that she must be very good, but I have my fingers crossed." Sonam calls him her biggest sup- port. "Isn't that bound to be?" asks Anil. "After all, who understands this field better than me? I know ex- actly how much hard work it takes to walk this way and how much you lose and gain in the process." Anil has been fortunate to re- ceive a good balance of mass ac- ceptance and critical acclaim in his 25-year-long acting career. So what does he wish for his daughter? "Both," he says. It is the happiest situation then. "But in a larger per- spective, I think mass appeal is what every actor strives for. Noth- ing gives you a better high than that."